Some people only need one reason to buy a condominium as opposed to a house. If you are looking for a new place to live, and are located in an area where condos are plentiful and ideally located, you no doubt have given the prospect of owning one some serious thought. Yes, there are things to consider like monthly or yearly fees, payments following assessment, and living very close to your neighbors, but condo living is not without its many advantages. If you are scraping for just one reason to buy one, here are ten from which you can choose.
1) Buying a condo is a good investment. You could live in one for many years, but if ever you need to move you may have the option of turning your property into a rental. Condos are typically a prime rental property in resort areas – you could rent yours year round or during peak seasons.
2) Owning a condo usually means less yard work. If you buy into a high-rise, you definitely don’t have to mow a lawn! However, if you buy into a more spread out community, your fees cover the cost of landscaping.
3) Buying a condo is a better investment than renting. When you rent, you give money away to live in your home. When you’re finished, you have little if anything to show for it. Buying a condo gives you property that is yours.
4) Simple repairs and renovations may be covered in your fees. Unlike with a home, you probably won’t be able to add on to your condo, but simple fixes in plumbing and electricity may be handled by your condo community, so you’ll save time and the hassle of hiring a contractor.
5) You gain access to amenities you might not obtain otherwise. Pool ownership, for example, can produce headaches. Buy a condo with pool access, and you can enjoy the luxury without the stress of maintenance.
6) You want security. Most complexes offer some level of security, be it gated borders or password-protected entryways. Your fees cover this benefit to condo life.
7) You want to de-clutter. Often people move from houses to condos after children have moved away, they have divorced, or they want to downsize. If the maintenance of a house is too much for you to handle these days, scaling down your possessions and moving into a smaller condo is probably the right step to take.
8) Your job doesn’t suit a house. Let’s face it: houses mean work. You have to make sure everything runs, and that the lawn is neat. If you travel extensively or work long hours, you don’t have time to take care of maintenance. Living in a condo, however, takes some of the load off your shoulders.
9) You like being around people. Condo living puts you in proximity with your neighbors, whereas home living can be an isolated existence. If you are social, a condo community may be ideal for you.
10) Condos are cozy. You want to feel comfortable where you live, and condo living gives you the right amount of space without making you feel claustrophobic.
If you’re looking for a new place to live, considering looking into a condo for sale in your area.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on downtown Norfolk condos and Virginia Beach condos.
